Sign in

Sam Wheeler

@samwheeler.bsky.social
1.3K followers 560 following 61 posts

Executive Director, Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO. Unions are good. Views are my own.

PostsRepliesMedia
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 23h
Photo of text: What is being proposed with the Protect College Sports Act is to establish the exact same types of labor restraints, specifically a salary cap, specifically a number of years of eligibility to compete in college sports, and specifically limits on transfers, but not to do so in collective bargaining where there are representatives in the room, on behalf of employer and employee, but rather through a legislative bill, which seems to be negotiated by a number of different constituent groups, none of which is a representative of the players in any meaningful sense, and absolutely none of which have been chosen and selected by the players as a union representative.
010
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 23h
This is a excellent interview on terrible legislation. Unionization and collective bargaining is the only just way forward.
defector.com
An Antitrust Expert Makes The Comprehensive Case Against The Protect College Sports Act | Defector
Marc Edelman has spent much of the last two decades fighting to help college athletes get fairly compensated for their labor. A lawyer who is currently a tenured professor at Baruch College, Edelman h...
1278
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
W.E.D.em Boyz @leftistwonk.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Thanks Gavin Newsom!!!
14626124
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Ellen Stutzman @ellenstutzman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Antitrust enforcement right now
063
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
The Hollywood Reporter @thr.com · 24/08/2026
Mike Schur: The Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Is Existential for Writers
bit.ly
Mike Schur: The Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Is Existential for Writers
Let’s begin with a statement of fact: mega mergers in Hollywood are bad for writers. They’re also bad for actors and directors, for production designers and caterers, for carpenters and Teamsters and electricians and set decorators. They are bad for consumers, who get fewer choices in entertainment controlled by fewer bosses with narrower worldviews. Mergers are bad for local businesses, who lose paying customers from disappearing productions. They are bad for high level TV and film executives, and entry-level assistants, and everyone in between.
524461
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
"Those of us in the industry have heard these promises before: A larger company will invest more, create more and strengthen the industry. It does not bear out. Consolidation has not made the jobs better in this industry, it has made them worse." - WGAE’s Tom Fontana and WGAW’s Michele Mulroney
latimes.com
Contributor: Why writers are fighting Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros.
When a major studio buys its competitor, it leads to lower compensation for industry workers and reduced choices and diversity for audiences.
14823
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Ken Tremendous @kentremendous.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
"I'm calling for all parties to come to the table?" Respectfully, either you're for the merger or you're against it. Any version of this merger is bad for Hollywood and bad for your constituents, several thousand of whom will permanently lose their jobs.
2169299
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
We reject the claim that beleaguered industry workers must choose the possibility of a job today, in exchange for the certainty of job losses tomorrow. #BlockTheMerger
WGA RESPONDS TO STATEMENT FROM LA MAYOR BASS ON PARAMOUNT-WARNER BROS. MERGER

We are disappointed that Mayor Bass has chosen to join Paramount's pressure campaign on public enforcers, to
push through a merger that is being rightfully challenged as illegal and will lead to job losses in the entertainment industry. Her statement comes on the heels of a county report estimating thousands of jobs will be lost if the merger proceeds.
Industry workers deserve a mayor who believes in upholding the law and protecting the working people of Los Angeles, not serving the interests of powerful corporations.Paramount has created a false choice for entertainment industry workers: The company argues that enforcing antitrust law hurts us by creating uncertainty, which is of their own making as the company attempts to dominate the industry. We reject the claim that beleaguered industry workers must choose the possibility of a job today, in exchange for the certainty of job losses
tomorrow.
010731
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
We're thrilled to welcome our new bargaining unit at ABC News after employees of ABCNews.com and ABC News’ social media platforms voted unanimously to unionize with the WGAE!
abc news digital union - writers guild of america east 

ABC News Digital staff is UNIONIZED!“The industry is changing at a rapid pace, and we want to help shape the version of ABC News that will emerge from this transition. We are excited to join hundreds of our ABC News Broadcast colleagues and thousands of our fellow Disney employees who are represented by unions.” - ABC News Digital Bargaining Unit
318544
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
working towards a 2034 window of contention @whygavs.com · 04/08/2026
Opinion | The Scorpion: In Defense of My River Crossing Plans
0155
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Alvaro M. Bedoya @bedoyausa.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
People think "Hollywood" is rich and famous. The reality? Film and TV is a national industry. It's a blue collar industry. And it is an industry free fall. My latest for @newrepublic.com on how the Paramount merger would crush blue collar workers who can not afford it newrepublic.com/article/2136...
newrepublic.com
There’s a Blue-Collar Hollywood—and the Paramount Merger Will Kill It
Hollywood isn’t all glamour. It’s thousands of line workers. And a Paramount takeover of Warner will make their lives even more precarious.
682572993
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
WGA Statement on Paramount-WBD Merger Pause. #BlockTheMerger
WGA STATEMENT ON PARAMOUNT-WBD
MERGER PAUSE

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery today agreed to what the state Attorneys General and the WA both sought from the court: the merger will be put on hold pending the outcome of the states' and the WA's cases or until June 1, 2027, whichever comes first. It remains our view that this merger is unlawful, and we will continue the fight to block it.

[Writers Guild of America West logo] [Writers Guild of America East logo]
010737
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
SEIU_ORG @seiu.org · 15/07/2026
Shoutout to writers who are coming together in their union to ensure job security! With fewer competitors, the merger would give this entity leverage to lower costs by suppressing writers’ wages & reducing output—which also means fewer employment opportunities. It’s time to fight back! 👏🏼👏🏾👏🏿
02313
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
The Writers Guild of America will not stand idly by as Paramount attempts to violate our country's antitrust laws and deepen the contraction entertainment workers already feel. #BlockTheMerger
WGA FILES LAWSUIT TO BLOCK PARAMOUNT-WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY MERGERWGA FILES LAWSUIT TO BLOCK PARAMOUNT-WARNER BROS, DISCOVERY MERGER
"With fewer competitors, the merged Paramount-Warner Bros. entity would have both the incentive and the ability to lower costs by suppressing writers' wages and reducing output. Writers will be paid less and have fewer employment opportunities.""The Writers Guild of America will not stand idly by as Paramount attempts to violate our country's antitrust laws and deepen the contraction entertainment workers already feel. This proposed combined entity would be the largest employer of writers, with tremendous power to suppress our wages, eliminate opportunities for emerging writers, cut jobs across the industry, and produce less programming, effecting the range of storytelling. This merger is not inevitable and we are fighting to stop it."
Tom Fontana, WGAE President"If Paramount succeeds in buying Warner Bros., the merged firm will be the largest buyer of original film and television programming in the United States. This would eliminate competition in an already consolidated industry, threatening the livelihoods of entertainment workers and the creative diversity of TV and film. We applaud the dozen state Attorneys General who have stepped up to enforce our antitrust laws and are proud to file suit alongside them"
Michele Mulroney, WGAW President
120675
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Done, thank you!
010
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
allthepierogies
110
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
On Tuesday, Scientific American was sold by international publisher Springer Nature. Large numbers of staff were immediately laid off, and salaries of remaining workers were cut by as much as 30% SciAm staff had just voted to unionize. We should call this action what it is – blatant union-busting.
A poster titled “Scientific American Rally” invites people to a rally on tuesday june 30 at 5pm at 1 new york plaza. it says “show springer nature that science journalism and the people behind it matter!”
3183104
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Bron Maher @bronmaher.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
New: The new owners of Scientific American magazine have asked the U.S. National Labor Relations Board to halt a unionisation election count due to go ahead tomorrow. It comes after Canadian publisher LabX Media Group bought the 180-year-old mag from Springer Nature, cutting 15 roles
A copy of Scientific American is seen held in someone's hand in front of a newsstand. It reads: The Unsolvable Problem - A journey into some of the strangest ideas in modern math and physics. 

(Picture: dennizn – stock.adobe.com)
3105
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
The following is a statement from Writers Guild of America East members at Scientific American on today’s decision to sell Springer Nature and lay off staff: www.wgaeast.org/wgae-scienti...
wgaeast.org
WGAE-Scientific American Union Statement on Springer Nature’s Sale and Layoffs | Press Room
The following is a statement from Writers Guild of America East members at Scientific American on today’s decision to sell Springer Nature and lay off staff: “Earlier today in an all-staff meeting we ...
26532
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
To the extent it would be silly for an immigrant to declare themselves a southerner or a Californian--and I don't know that it would--I would say that's a credit in New York's favor and something that makes the city special.
100
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
America and New York at their best have a lot of virtues in common. You can come to America at any point in your life and become an American. Most "native born New Yorkers" I know believe and love that about their city. Maybe I'm hanging out with different people.
100
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
American
040
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
The NY FAIR News Act has passed the State Senate and Assembly and is now on its way to the desk of Governor Hochul. Thank you to our amazing sponsors and champions, and to everyone who raised their voices in support of this important legislation to protect journalists and the public from AI!
WGAE Statement on New York Legislature  Passing Bill Mandating Disclaimers on Al-Generated News
We are thrilled to announce that the New York State legislature passed the NY FAIR News Act (New York Fundamental Artificial Intelligence Requirements in News Act), S.8451-B / A.8962-B, first-in-the-nation legislation that mandates that news organizations include disclaimers when they publish content substantially or wholly created by artificial intelligence. The NY FAIR News Act will now be sent to Governor Hochul in order to be signed into law.
Thank you to our amazing sponsors and champions, Senator Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember Nily Rozic. Thank you to our sibling unions and allies: the NYS AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America, NewsGuild of New York, The NewsGuild-CWA, CWA District 1, Freelancers Union, and the Writers Guild of America West. Thank you to every Guild member who raised their pens or their voices in support of this important legislation.
The NY FAIR News Act protects journalism, our members, and our democracy by ensuring the public knows whether the news they read, watch, or listen to is produced by a human or by a computer program. While New York is the first state to recognize that Al cannot do the work of journalists and other news professionals, it will not be the last.
29838
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Djinn & Tonic @djinnandtonic.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Let Us Die To Make Men Free is the animating principle of my politics I'm done with pessimism, with politics which looks at the world as it actually is and says "this is no good, this has never been good, it can never be good" What we need more than anything now is a Politics Of Militant Sincerity
15605144
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
ryan cooper @ryanlcooper.com · 01/06/2026
Trump really has remade the whole conservative movement in his image. Weiss is just like him, a petulant power mad imbecile who can do literally nothing right and gets incandescent with rage anytime she is questioned, but also too much of a chickenshit to fire people to their face
282410455
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
The SciAm Union is disappointed that @springernature.com dragged our colleagues into a last minute meeting this morning with the notorious union-busting law firm Littler Mendelson (the same one Starbucks and Amazon hire 👀)
29835
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 23/04/2026
This merger is bad for New Yorkers three times over. Thousands of jobs at risk here in the city. Streaming bills going up as competition disappears. And two of America's most powerful media companies under one roof, deciding what you watch and what you hear.
Today, as Warner Bros. and Paramount shareholders vote, New York City is on record: this merger should be stopped.
6352411243
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Union Now! @unionnow.org · 12/04/2026
"Workers need your solidarity in the fight of organized money against organized people." @saradavid.bsky.social of @wgaeast.bsky.social. support workers like Sara > unionnow.org #UnionNow
Sara David rallies the crowd flanked by union members
0105
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Kat Tenbarge @kattenbarge.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
A powerful man sexually pursuing a young woman who works for him is oppressive. It immediately limits and reshapes her future to her detriment, whether she is physically forced into it or not. It’s coercion either way, and that is why it’s so wrong. It’s an abuse of power.
132101381806
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Hamilton Nolan @hamiltonnolan.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
NYC Sunday 2 pm at Terminal 5. New York is a union town Come through
2609
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
The NewsGuild-CWA @newsguild.org · 08/04/2026
🚨 ON STRIKE 🚨 Unionized staff at ProPublica @propublicaguild.org walked off the job today. Stand with workers: DO NOT cross the picket line. That means no visiting ProPublica's website, social media or engaging with its content today.
1196106
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
The WGA Negotiating Committee has unanimously approved a tentative agreement w the AMPTP for the 2026 MBA. This deal protects writers’ health plan & puts it on a sustainable path, builds on gains from 2023 & helps address free work challenges. Members will receive more info in coming days #WGAStrong
2026 WGA Contract: Tentative Agreement REACHED. wgacontract.org
021150
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Tentative agreement reached! ✊️🎉 CBS News 24/7 members secured a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with CBS/Paramount management Tuesday. Details to come following ratification!
[logo: Writers Guild CBS News]

["Breaking News" banner] Tentative Agreement Reached! [logo: CBS News 24/7] 

[logo: Writers Guild of America East]
14613
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Read the statement from @wgaeast.bsky.social and @wgawest.bsky.social on the layoff of Guild members at CBS News. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues and friends and will fight to protect journalists.
WGA Statement on CBS News Layoffs

Once again, our members have lost their jobs due to the recklessness and greed of their bosses. 
 
CBS News Radio is an institution, where generations of the finest journalists in the country spent their careers reporting the news and holding people in power to account. The decision to simply shutter CBS News Radio is indicative of Bari Weiss and David Ellison's inept leadership. 
 
The dozens of CBS journalists laid off today have served the American people through their talent and dedication. Given the damage David Ellison has done to CBS News in mere months, the Ellison family must not be permitted to acquire CNN or any other vital news outlets. 
 
We stand in solidarity with our colleagues and friends and will fight to protect journalists.
1281108
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @ocasio-cortez.house.gov · 17/03/2026
If Paramount can shell out billions of dollars to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, then they can pay their unionized CBS staff a fair wage. I stand with the CBS staff who walked out today as they fight these corporate giants for essential protections and fair contracts.
7066461334
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Matt Zoller Seitz @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
"The proposed deal has attracted a lot of criticism, largely because it sucks. That’s a broad statement, so let me be more specific: It only sucks for every affected industry, the United States, and humanity as a whole."
417357
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO @dpeaflcio.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
@wgaeast.bsky.social members at Hearst are asking for a fair contract that includes sustainable wages, AI protections & workplace flexibility. Join us in standing with @hearstunion.bsky.social members by writing Hearst leadership & telling them to agree to a fair contract. wgaea.st/hearst-letter
185
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Introducing The NY FAIR News Act, legislation that establishes clear protections for both journalists, media professionals and the broader public to ensure that the integrity of the news and its workforce are safeguarded against artificial intelligence. Read more: www.wgaeast.org/fahy-rozic-i...
gos: New York State Senate, New York State Union Strong AFL-CIO, New York State Assembly, Writers Guild of America East, SAG-AFTRA, Directors Guild of America, The NewsGuild of New York Local 31003, CWA]
THE NY FAIR NEWS ACT
LEGISLATION TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS AND THE PUBLIC FROM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE JEOPARDIZING NEWS REPORTING
S.8451/A.8962-A
Senator Patricia Fahy (D—Albany) and
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D—NYC)“Perhaps one of the industries at most risk from the use of artificial intelligence is journalism and as a result, the public's trust and confidence in accurate news reporting. More than 76% of Americans are concerned about AI stealing or reproducing journalism and local news stories, as AI continues to reshape our daily lives and careers across industries. To protect the public's trust in reporting and the news they read everyday and the journalists who do the work, I'm proud to introduce the NY FAIR News Act with Assemblymember Rozic, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the State Senate to enact common sense guidelines that protect New Yorkers from the unintended consequences of AI."

SENATOR PATRICIA FAHY
(D—ALBANY)

[Logo: New York State Senate]“At the center of the news industry, New York has a strong interest in preserving journalism and protecting the workers who produce it The NY FAIR News Act promotes journalistic integrity and ensures total AI-disclosure to journalists, workers, and the public alike."

ASSEMBLYWOMAN NILY ROZIC
(D—NYC)

[Logo: New York State Assembly]“Artificial Intelligence presents a clear and demonstrable threat to the integrity of the news. The NY FAIR News Act recognizes that AI may be used in newsrooms, but rather than let this nascent technology run wild, especially in a critical election year, the bill mandates cooperation between news media companies and the highly skilled human workers they employee to uphold journalistic standards and workplace protections."

TOM FONTANA, PRESIDENT OF
THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA EAST

[Logo: Writers Guild of America East]
23010
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Kim Kelly @kimkelly.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
insisting on calling every mass day of protest or one-day boycott a "general strike" is not the move. it's good to see people rallying around the cause, it matters, but if you want to be part of a large-scale labor action that shuts down the gears of capital, start by unionizing your workplace!!!
333532740
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Vox Media Union @voxmediaunion.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
We're officially fundraising for laid-off Vox workers. Please share and donate if you can! www.gofundme.com/f/support-la...
gofundme.com
Donate to Support Laid-off Vox Media Workers, organized by Victoria Song
On Friday, January 16, 2026, the Vox Media Union received news from management about … Victoria Song needs your support for Support Laid-off Vox Media Workers
2409262
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
The restraint of the people of Minneapolis is almost as remarkable as their courage.
000
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Amanda Mull @amandamull.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Really hard to look at this and all the other examples of bravery and kindness from ordinary people in this moment not think also of the tremendous cowardice exhibited over the past year by some of the richest, most well-protected people in business, media and politics
156186134815
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Same. It’s a strange thing to wish.
000
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Repealing RTW when?
130
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Bruce Simon was a titan, one of the finest labor lawyers in American history. He made life better for millions of workers who will never know his name. He was an example for all of us who have dedicated our lives to the labor movement. I was lucky to work for him—I owe him a lot. He will be missed.
cwsny.com
In Memoriam – Bruce H. Simon – 1934-2026
0315
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Vox Media Union @voxmediaunion.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Another year, another round of layoffs at Vox Media. In solidarity with our laid-off colleagues, here is our full statement:
Today, Friday, January 16, 2026, the Vox Media Union received news from management about more layoffs at the company: three in-unit workers from PopSugar, two from The Verge, and three from Eater — not including a number of out-of-unit employees — some of whom were on parental and other types of company-approved leave. 

Beyond this, the company announced that it will no longer have a centralized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI+) team, redistributing that work across the People team and leadership, and keeping Employee Resource Groups as simply Slack spaces without formal lead roles or any standalone budgets. 

There is almost no further room to be shocked at these developments, as the company has laid off workers at an average of once per quarter in the last year, but we continue to be disgusted by the fact that leadership seems to have developed no real learning or commitment to workforce sustainability and retention. Those at the top remain safe in their positions while mercilessly cutting off those who work day in and day out (and then some) to make sure that essential, business-critical work is done. 

Our indispensable colleagues are now in extra vulnerable positions, having to navigate workplace bureaucracy alongside a volatile job market and relentless threats to the integrity of journalism as a whole. This union is proud to have rallied in multiple rounds of contract bargaining to ensure more equitable worker rights and protections in the face of management incompetence. As always, we, along with our Guild reps, will continue to demand that members are treated fairly in the aftermath of layoffs.

Details on how you can support laid-off workers at Vox Media will be forthcoming. Please follow the Vox Media Union on Instagram (@voxmediaunion) and Bluesky (@voxunion.bsky.social). Solidarity forever. 

The Vox Media Union Committees 
Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO
230898
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Today WGAE members joined @nynurses.bsky.social on strike at the Mount Sinai picket line! Day 3 of the #NYCNurseStrike and 15,000 nurses are still fighting for respect and fair compensation. #PatientsOverProfits ✊
Group crowd photos of WGAE members at Mount Sinai Hospital picketing with signs including phrases like “solidarity w/ NY Nurses” “union strong” and “solidarity forever” WGAE member with picket sign “WGA supports NYSNA on strike” “Solidarity 4ever” picket sign in a crowd of people picketing
03912
Sam Wheeler @samwheeler.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
The nurses forever
071
Reposted by Sam Wheeler
A.R. Moxon @juliusgoat.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
This weekend, I wrote about the state murder of Renee Good, and the fascist claim that her murderer enjoys absolute immunity, and a common-sense reversal of qualified immunity that protects civilians from authorities, rather than the other way around. www.the-reframe.com/absolute-imm...
the-reframe.com
Absolute Immunity
Alignment with supremacy is a vile choice. Raising the natural costs for those who make that choice by putting first things first.
11387115